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In the Mood for Love

In the Mood for Love is a film by Wong Kar-wai made in the year 2000 that focuses on the lives of two married couples that live in the same apartment building. The main characters, Tony Leung as Chow Mo-wan and Maggie Cheung as Su Li-zhen, are married to spouses who are never around. As the film goes on, their paths start to cross frequently and they develop a business partnership and a tender friendship that borders on romance. Due to Su Li-zhen’s ideas on marriage she is very hesitant to explore the romance, even after she finds out her husband is having an affair, and with whom.

The film is gorgeous. From the set design to the costumes, everything is exactly where it needs to be to draw the viewer into the world. Maggie’s dresses are each breathtaking and unique; even if the story starts to lag, there is always something visual to consume.

That said, I honestly I do not see why In the Mood for Love is so highly regarded. I have seen hundreds of films that are well written and visually stunning. It is a well-crafted film and I did enjoy it, but ranking the film at number twenty-four seems generous. It is a very good movie and anyone can learn from it, but being included halfway down a list of the fifty greatest films ever made is, in my opinion, a stretch.